Luminous keyboard

ABSTRACT

A luminous keyboard includes a key structure, a supporting plate, a switch circuit board, a light guide plate and a top-view light-emitting element. The supporting plate includes an opening. The top-view light-emitting element emits a light beam. The supporting plate is located under the key structure. The switch circuit board is located over the supporting plate. The light guide plate is located under the supporting plate and includes a light guide plate opening. The top-view light-emitting element is inserted into the opening. After the light beam is transmitted through the opening, a first-portion beam of the light beam is transmitted through the switch circuit board and projected to a first region of the key structure. A second-portion beam of the light beam is sequentially blocked by the switch circuit board, introduced into the light guide plate, and guided to a second region of the key structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a keyboard, and more particularly to aluminous keyboard with an illuminating function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the widely-used peripheral input device of a computer systemincludes for example a mouse device, a keyboard, a trackball device, orthe like. Via the keyboard, characters and symbols can be inputted intothe computer system directly. As a consequence, most users and mostmanufacturers of input devices pay much attention to the development ofkeyboards.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating the outer appearance of aconventional keyboard. As shown in FIG. 1, there are plural keys 10 on asurface of the conventional keyboard 1. These keys 10 are classifiedinto several types, e.g. ordinary keys 101, numeric keys 102 andfunction keys 103. When one of these keys 10 is depressed by the user'sfinger, a corresponding signal is issued to the computer, and thus thecomputer executes a function corresponding to the depressed key. Forexample, when an ordinary key 101 is depressed, a corresponding Englishletter or symbol is inputted into the computer. When a numeric key 102is depressed, a corresponding number is inputted into the computer. Inaddition, the function keys 103 (F1˜F12) can be programmed to providevarious functions. For example, the conventional keyboard 1 is akeyboard for a notebook computer.

With the maturity of the computing technologies, the keyboardmanufacturers make efforts in designing novel keyboards with specialfunctions in order to meet diversified requirements of different users.For this reason, luminous keyboards are favored by users. Hereinafter,the inner structure of the luminous keyboard will be illustrated in moredetails. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating aconventional luminous keyboard. As shown in FIG. 2, the conventionalluminous keyboard 2 comprises plural key structures 20, a membraneswitch circuit member 21, a light guide plate 22, an illumination module23, a supporting plate 24 and a reflecting plate 25. Each key structure20 comprises a keycap 201, a scissors-type connecting element 202 and anelastic element 203. From top to bottom, the keycap 201, thescissors-type connecting element 202, the elastic element 203, themembrane switch circuit member 21, the supporting plate 24, the lightguide plate 22 and the reflecting plate 25 of the conventional luminouskeyboard 2 are sequentially shown. The supporting plate 24 is arrangedbetween the membrane switch circuit member 21 and the light guide plate22 for supporting the keycap 201, the scissors-type connecting element202, the elastic element 203 and the membrane switch circuit member 21.

In the key structure 20, the keycap 201 is exposed outside theconventional luminous keyboard 2, so that the keycap 201 can bedepressed by the user. The scissors-type connecting element 202 is usedfor connecting the keycap 201 and the supporting plate 24. The elasticelement 203 is penetrated through the scissors-type connecting element202. In addition, both ends of the elastic element 203 are contactedwith the keycap 201 and the membrane switch circuit member 21,respectively. The membrane switch circuit member 21 comprises an upperwiring board 211, a separation layer 212, and a lower wiring board 213.The upper wiring board 211 comprises plural upper conductive parts 2111.The separation layer 212 is located under the upper wiring board 211.Moreover, the separation layer 212 comprises plural separation layeropenings 2121 corresponding to the plural upper conductive parts 2111.The lower wiring board 213 is located under the separation layer 212.Moreover, the lower wiring board 213 comprises plural lower conductiveparts 2131 corresponding to the plural upper conductive parts 2111.Moreover, plural key switches 214 are defined by the plural lowerconductive parts 2131 and the plural upper conductive parts 2111collaboratively. The upper wiring board 211, the separation layer 212and the lower wiring board 213 are all made of a light-transmissiblematerial. The light-transmissible material is for example polycarbonate(PC) or polyethylene (PE). Consequently, the upper wiring board 211, theseparation layer 212 and the lower wiring board 213 arelight-transmissible.

The illumination module 23 comprises an illumination circuit board 231and plural light-emitting elements 232. For clarification and brevity,only two light-emitting elements 232 are shown in the drawing. Theillumination circuit board 231 is located under the membrane switchcircuit member 21 for providing electric power to the plurallight-emitting elements 232. The plural light-emitting elements 232 aredisposed on the illumination circuit board 231. In addition, the plurallight-emitting elements 232 are inserted into plural reflecting plateopenings 251 of the reflecting plate 25 and plural light guide plateopenings 221 of the light guide plate 22, respectively. By acquiring theelectric power, the plural light-emitting elements 232 are driven toemit plural light beams B. Moreover, the plural light beams B areintroduced into the light guide plate 22. For example, the plurallight-emitting elements 232 are side-view light emitting diodes. Thelight guide plate 22 is used for guiding the plural light beams B to thekeycaps 201. The reflecting plate 25 is located under the light guideplate 22 for reflecting the plural light beams B. Consequently, theplural light beams B are directed upwardly, and the utilizationefficiency of the light beams B is enhanced. The two lateral edges 252of the reflecting plate 25 are bent upwardly to enclose plural lateraledges 222 of the light guide plate 22. For clarification and brevity,only one lateral edge 252 of the reflecting plate 25 is shown in thedrawing. Due to the lateral edges 252 of the reflecting plate 25, theproblem of causing light leakage through the lateral edges 222 of thelight guide plate 22 will be eliminated.

In the conventional luminous keyboard 2, each keycap 201 has alight-outputting zone 2011. The light-outputting zone 2011 is located ata character region or a symbol region of the keycap 201. Moreover, theposition of the light-outputting zone 2011 is aligned with the positionof a corresponding light-guiding dot 223 of the light guide plate 22.The light beams can be guided upwardly to the light-outputting zone 2011by the corresponding light-guiding dot 223. After the plural light beamsB are transferred within the light guide plate 22 and projected on thelight-guiding dots 223, the light beams B are guided by thelight-guiding dots 223 and projected upwardly. The upwardly-projectedportions of the light beams B are sequentially transmitted throughplural supporting plate openings 241 of the supporting plate 24 and themembrane switch circuit member 21 and transmitted through the plurallight-outputting zones 2011 of the keycaps 201 so as to illuminate thecharacter regions or the symbol regions of the keycaps 201. Under thiscircumstance, the illuminating function is achieved.

However, the conventional luminous keyboard 2 still has some drawbacks.For example, all of the key structures of the luminous keyboard 2 aresimultaneously illuminated. If the user intends to illuminate the keystructure A but not illuminate the key structure B, the use of theluminous keyboard 2 cannot meet the user's requirement. For meeting theuser's requirement, the luminous keyboard uses top-view light emittingdiodes. That is, a single top-view light emitting diode is located underthe keycap of one key structure. Since the illumination of each top-viewlight emitting diode is independently controlled, the use of thetop-view light emitting diode can meet the user's requirement. The lightbeam emitted by the top-view light emitting diode is projected upwardlyto the corresponding keycap. Since the light beam from the top-viewlight emitting diode is very centralized, the luminance uniformity isusually unsatisfied.

Therefore, there is a need of providing a luminous keyboard forcontrolling illumination of individual keys and producing enhancedluminance uniformity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention provides a luminous keyboard forcontrolling illumination of individual keys and producing enhancedluminance uniformity.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda luminous keyboard. The luminous keyboard includes a key structure, asupporting plate, a switch circuit board, a light guide plate and atop-view light-emitting element. The key structure is exposed outsidethe luminous keyboard. The supporting plate is located under the keystructure and connected with the key structure. The supporting plateincludes a supporting plate opening. The switch circuit board is locatedover the supporting plate. When the switch circuit board is triggered bythe key structure, a key signal is generated. The light guide plate islocated under the supporting plate. The light guide plate includes alight guide plate opening. The top-view light-emitting element islocated under the key structure and inserted into the light guide plateopening, and emits a light beam. After the light beam is transmittedthrough the supporting plate opening, a first-portion beam of the lightbeam is transmitted through the switch circuit board and projected to afirst region of the key structure, and a second-portion beam of thelight beam is introduced into the light guide plate through the switchcircuit board and guided to a second region of the key structure by thelight guide plate.

In an embodiment, the luminous keyboard further includes an additionallight guide plate within the supporting plate opening. When the lightbeam is transmitted through the supporting plate opening and introducedinto the additional light guide plate, the light beam is divided intothe first-portion beam and the second-portion beam. The first-portionbeam is guided to the first region by the additional light guide plate.The second-portion beam is sequentially exited from the additional lightguide plate, blocked by the switch circuit board, introduced into theadditional light guide plate again, guided to the light guide plate bythe additional light guide plate and guided to the second region by thelight guide plate.

From the above description, the luminous keyboard of the presentinvention uses the top-view light-emitting elements. The top-viewlight-emitting elements and the key structures are in a one-to-onerelationship. Consequently, the illumination of individual keystructures can be controlled. Moreover, the top-view light-emittingelements are inserted into the corresponding light guide plate openingsand located under the supporting plate openings and the switch circuitboard 42. When the top-view light-emitting element emits the light beam,the light beam is transmitted through the supporting plate opening.Then, the first-portion beam of the light beam is transmitted throughthe switch circuit board and projected to the first region of the keystructure. Moreover, the second-portion beam of the light beam isintroduced into the light guide plate through the switch circuit board.Then, the second-portion beam is guided by the light guide plate andprojected to the second region of the key structure. Consequently, theluminous keyboard of the present invention can produces enhancedluminance uniformity.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art afterreviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings,in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view illustrating the outer appearance of aconventional keyboard;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a conventionalluminous keyboard;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of a luminouskeyboard according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the switch circuitboard of the luminous keyboard according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of the luminouskeyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of a luminouskeyboard according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the switch circuitboard of the luminous keyboard according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For overcoming the drawbacks of the conventional technology, the presentinvention provides a luminous keyboard. The structure of the luminouskeyboard will be described as follows.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a portion of a luminouskeyboard according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, the luminous keyboard 3 comprises plural key structures30, a supporting plate 31, a switch circuit board 32, a light guideplate 33, plural top-view light-emitting elements 34, an illuminationcircuit board 35 and a reflecting element 36. For succinctness, only onekey structure 30 is shown in FIG. 3. Each top-view light-emittingelement 34 is aligned with one key structure 30. The plural keystructures 30 are exposed outside the luminous keyboard 3. Thesupporting plate 31 is located under the plural key structures 30 andconnected with the plural key structures 30. Moreover, the supportingplate 31 comprises plural supporting plate openings 311 and plural hooks312. The switch circuit board 32 is disposed on the supporting plate 31.When the switch circuit board 32 by is triggered by at least one of theplural key structures 30, a corresponding key signal is generated. Thelight guide plate 33 is located under the supporting plate 31. Moreover,the light guide plate 33 comprises plural light guide plate openings 331corresponding to the plural key structures 30.

The plural top-view light-emitting elements 34 are located under thecorresponding key structures 30 and inserted into the correspondinglight guide plate openings 331. The plural top-view light-emittingelements 34 emit plural light beams B. The illumination circuit board 35is located under the light guide plate 33 for supporting the pluraltop-view light-emitting elements 34. Moreover, the illumination circuitboard 35 is electrically connected with the plural top-viewlight-emitting elements 34. The reflecting element 36 is arrangedbetween the light guide plate 33 and the illumination circuit board 35.The reflecting element 36 is used for reflecting the light beams B. Inan embodiment, the plural top-view light-emitting elements 34 aretop-view light emitting diodes, the illumination circuit board 35 is aprinted circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and thereflecting element 36 is a reflecting plate or a reflective ink layer.In case that the reflecting element 36 is the reflective ink layer, thereflective ink layer is printed or coated on a bottom surface of thelight guide plate 33 or a top surface of the illumination circuit board35. In case that the reflecting element 36 is the reflecting plate, thereflecting plate comprises plural reflecting plate openings. After theplural top-view light-emitting elements 34 are penetrated through thecorresponding reflecting plate openings, the plural top-viewlight-emitting elements 34 are inserted into the corresponding lightguide plate openings 331.

As shown in FIG. 3, each key structure 30 comprises a keycap 301, aconnecting element 302 and a triggering element 303. The keycap 301 islocated over the supporting plate 31 and exposed outside the luminouskeyboard 3. The keycap 301 comprises a first region A1 and a secondregion A2 (see FIG. 5). The first region A1 is located at an interiorregion of the keycap 301. The second region A2 is located at a peripheryregion of the keycap 301. In the example of FIG. 3, a letter G is shownon the keycap 301. The first region A1 denotes the region inside theletter G and the second region A2 denotes the region outside the letterG. The connecting element 302 is arranged between the correspondingkeycap 301 and the supporting plate 31. The keycap 301 is connected withthe supporting plate 31 through the connecting element 302.Consequently, the keycap 301 is moved upwardly or downwardly relative tothe supporting plate 31. Particularly, the connecting element 302 isconnected with the corresponding keycap 301 and the plural hooks 312 ofthe supporting plate 31. The triggering element 303 is arranged betweenthe corresponding keycap 301 and the switch circuit board 32. While thekeycap 301 is depressed and moved downwardly to push the triggeringelement 303, the triggering element 303 is subjected to deformation totrigger the switch circuit board 32. When the keycap 301 is no longerdepressed, no external force is applied to the keycap 301. In responseto the elasticity of the triggering element 303, the triggering element303 is restored to its original shape to provide an upward elasticrestoring force to the keycap 301. In response to the upward elasticrestoring force, the keycap 301 is returned to its original positionwhere it is not depressed. In this embodiment, the connecting element302 is a scissors-type connecting element.

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the switch circuitboard of the luminous keyboard according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention. Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. The switch circuitboard 32 comprises an upper wiring board 321, a lower wiring board 322and a separation layer 323. The upper wiring board 321 is contacted withthe triggering element 303. Moreover, the upper wiring board 321comprises plural upper conductive parts 3211. The plural upperconductive parts 3211 are disposed on a bottom surface of the upperwiring board 321. The lower wiring board 322 is located under the upperwiring board 321. Moreover, the lower wiring board 322 comprises plurallower conductive parts 3221. The plural lower conductive parts 3221 aredisposed on a top surface of the lower wiring board 322. Forsuccinctness, the conductive lines for electrically connecting theconductive parts 3211 and the lower conductive parts 3221 are not shownin FIG. 4. The separation layer 323 is arranged between the upper wiringboard 321 and the lower wiring board 322. Moreover, the separation layer323 comprises plural separation layer openings 3231 corresponding to theplural keycaps 301. The upper conductive parts 3211 and the plural lowerconductive parts 3221 are separated from each other by the separationlayer 323. Moreover, plural key switches (not shown) are defined by theplural upper conductive parts 3211, the plural separation layer openings3231 and the plural lower conductive parts 3221 collaboratively. Eachkey switch is aligned with one key structure 30. When the upper wiringboard 321 is triggered by the triggering element 303, the correspondingupper conductive part 3211 is penetrated through the correspondingseparation layer opening 3231 and contacted with the corresponding lowerconductive part 3221. Consequently, the switch circuit board 32 iselectrically conducted to generate the corresponding key signal.

In this embodiment, the upper conductive parts 3211 and the lowerconductive parts 3221 are circular conductive blocks. It is noted thatthe examples of the upper conductive parts and the lower conductiveparts are not restricted. For example, in some other embodiments, theupper conductive parts and the lower conductive parts are rectangularconductive blocks, triangular conductive blocks or rhombus conductiveblocks. In some embodiments, each of the upper conductive parts and thelower conductive parts has a middle light-transmissible region. Forexample, the rectangular conductive block, the triangular conductiveblock or the rhombus conductive block has a hollow region that islight-transmissible and located at the middle region of the conductiveblock. Consequently, the light beam can be transmitted through thehollow region of the conductive block.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating a portion of the luminouskeyboard according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Please refer to FIGS. 3 and 5. After the components of the luminouskeyboard are assembled, the resulting structure is shown in FIG. 5. Forclearly showing the optical paths of the light beams B, the connectingelement 302 is not shown in FIG. 5. After the top-view light-emittingelement 34 is driven to emit the light beam B, the light beam B isprojected upwardly and penetrated through the supporting plate opening311 of the supporting plate 31. Then, the light beam B is divided into afirst-portion beam B1 and a second-portion beam B2 according to theoptical path of the light beam B. The first-portion beam B1 of the lightbeam B is introduced into and transmitted through the switch circuitboard 32 and then projected to the triggering element 303 of the keystructure 30. Moreover, the triggering element 303 is capable ofdiffusing the first-portion beam B1. After the first-portion beam B1 istransmitted through the triggering element 303, the first-portion beamB1 is diffused and uniformly projected to the first region A1 of the keystructure 30. In an embodiment, the triggering element 303 is rubberdiffuser. There are two approaches of fabricating the rubber diffuser.In accordance with the first approach, the triggering element 303 ismade of a light diffusion material. In accordance with a secondapproach, the outer surface and/or the inner surface of the triggeringelement 303 is subjected to a light diffusion surface treatment.Consequently, at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface ofthe triggering element 303 has the function of diffusing the light beam.

The second-portion beam B2 of the light beam B cannot be transmittedthrough the switch circuit board 32. Since the second-portion beam B2 isblocked by the switch circuit board 32, the second-portion beam B2 isintroduced into the light guide plate 33. By the light guide plate 33,the second-portion beam B2 is guided to the position far away from theupper conductive part 3211 (or the lower conductive part 3221). Underthis circumstance, the second-portion beam B2 is transmitted through theswitch circuit board 32 and projected to the second region A2 of the keystructure 30. For example, the fraction of the first-portion beam B1 ofthe light beam B projected to the first region A1 is about 70˜80%, andthe fraction of the second-portion beam B2 of the light beam B projectedto the second region A2 is about 20˜30%. Consequently, the luminanceuniformity of the keycap 301 is enhanced.

The present invention further provides a second embodiment, which isdistinguished from the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic side viewillustrating a portion of a luminous keyboard according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the luminouskeyboard 4 comprises plural key structures 40, a supporting plate 41, aswitch circuit board 42, a first light guide plate 43, plural top-viewlight-emitting elements 44, an illumination circuit board 45, areflecting element 46 and a second light guide plate 47. Forsuccinctness, only one key structure 40 is shown in the drawing. Eachkey structure 40 comprises a keycap 401, a connecting element 402 and atriggering element 403. Moreover, the supporting plate 41 comprisesplural supporting plate openings 411 and plural hooks 412. The pluralsupporting plate openings 411 are aligned with the corresponding keystructures 40. For succinctness, only one supporting plate opening 411is shown in the drawing. The first light guide plate 43 comprises plurallight guide plate openings 431 corresponding to the plural keystructures 40. For succinctness, only one light guide plate opening 431is shown in the drawing. Except for the following two aspects, thestructures of the luminous keyboard 4 of this embodiment aresubstantially identical to those of the luminous keyboard 3 of the firstembodiment. Firstly, the structure of the switch circuit board 42 isdistinguished. Secondly, the luminous keyboard 4 further comprises thesecond light guide plate 47.

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the switch circuitboard of the luminous keyboard according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention. Please refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. The switch circuitboard 42 comprises an upper wiring board 421, a lower wiring board 422and a separation layer 423. The upper wiring board 421 is contacted withthe triggering element 403. Moreover, the upper wiring board 421comprises plural upper conductive parts 4211. The plural upperconductive parts 4211 are disposed on a bottom surface of the upperwiring board 421. The lower wiring board 422 is located under the upperwiring board 421. Moreover, the lower wiring board 422 comprises plurallower conductive parts 4221. The plural lower conductive parts 4221 aredisposed on a top surface of the lower wiring board 422. Forsuccinctness, the conductive lines for electrically connecting theconductive parts 4211 and the lower conductive parts 4221 are not shownin FIG. 7. The separation layer 423 is arranged between the upper wiringboard 421 and the lower wiring board 422. Moreover, the separation layer423 comprises plural separation layer openings 4231 corresponding to theplural keycaps 401. The upper conductive parts 4211 and the plural lowerconductive parts 4221 are separated from each other by the separationlayer 423. Moreover, plural key switches (not shown) are defined by theplural upper conductive parts 4211, the plural separation layer openings4231 and the plural lower conductive parts 4221 collaboratively. Eachkey switch is aligned with one key structure 40. In this embodiment, theupper conductive part 4211 is a first conductive strip, and the lowerconductive part 4221 is a second conductive strip. Moreover, the firstconductive strip and the second conductive strip are perpendicular toeach other. Consequently, the key switch has a cross shape. Incomparison with the conductive blocks of the first embodiment, theconductive strips of the upper conductive part 4211 and the lowerconductive part 4221 have smaller areas. Since the fraction of the lightbeam B to be transmitted through the switch circuit board 42 isincreased, the amount of the light beam to be projected to the keystructure 40 is increased.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second light guide plate 47 is disposed withinthe supporting plate opening 411 of the supporting plate 41. That is,the second light guide plate 47 is arranged between the correspondingtop-view light-emitting element 44 and the switch circuit board 42. Whenthe light beam B emitted by the top-view light-emitting element 44 istransmitted through the supporting plate opening 411 and introduced intothe second light guide plate 47, the light beam B is divided into afirst-portion beam B1 and a second-portion beam B2 according to theoptical path of the light beam B. By the second light guide plate 47,the first-portion beam B1 of the light beam B is guided to the firstregion A1 of the key structure 40 through the switch circuit board 42and the triggering element 403. The second-portion beam B2 of the lightbeam B is blocked by the switch circuit board 42. Consequently, thesecond-portion beam B2 is returned back into the second light guideplate 47. The second-portion beam B2 is guided to the first light guideplate 43 by the second light guide plate 47. Then, the second-portionbeam B2 is guided by the first light guide plate 43. Consequently, thesecond-portion beam B2 is guided to the second region A2 through theswitch circuit board 42. Since the second light guide plate 47 iscapable of effectively guiding the second-portion beam B2 to the firstlight guide plate 43, the utilization efficiency of the second-portionbeam B2 is enhanced.

From the above descriptions, the luminous keyboard of the presentinvention uses the top-view light-emitting elements. The top-viewlight-emitting elements and the key structures are in a one-to-onerelationship. Consequently, the illumination of individual keystructures can be controlled. Moreover, the top-view light-emittingelements are inserted into the corresponding light guide plate openingsand located under the supporting plate openings and the switch circuitboard. When the top-view light-emitting element emits the light beam,the light beam is transmitted through the supporting plate opening.Then, the first-portion beam of the light beam is transmitted throughthe switch circuit board and projected to the first region of the keystructure. Moreover, the second-portion beam of the light beam isintroduced into the light guide plate through the switch circuit board.Then, the second-portion beam is guided by the light guide plate andprojected to the second region of the key structure. Consequently, theluminous keyboard of the present invention can produces enhancedluminance uniformity.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosedembodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all modifications and similarstructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A luminous keyboard, comprising: a key structureexposed outside the luminous keyboard; a supporting plate located underthe key structure and connected with the key structure, wherein thesupporting plate comprises a supporting plate opening; a switch circuitboard located over the supporting plate, wherein when the switch circuitboard is triggered by the key structure, a key signal is generated; alight guide plate located under the supporting plate, wherein the lightguide plate comprises a light guide plate opening; and a top-viewlight-emitting element located under the key structure and inserted intothe light guide plate opening, wherein after a light beam emitted by thetop-view light-emitting element is transmitted through the supportingplate opening, a first-portion beam of the light beam is transmittedthrough the switch circuit board and projected to a first region of thekey structure, and a second-portion beam of the light beam is introducedinto the light guide plate through the switch circuit board and guidedto a second region of the key structure by the light guide plate;wherein the key structure comprises: a keycap located over thesupporting plate and exposed outside the luminous keyboard, wherein thefirst region is located at an interior region of the keycap, and thesecond region is located at a periphery region of the keycap, andwherein the top-view light-emitting element is aligned with the firstregion; a connecting element arranged between the keycap and thesupporting plate, wherein the keycap is connected with the supportingplate through the connecting element, so that the keycap is movableupwardly or downwardly relative to the supporting plate; and atriggering element arranged between the keycap and the switch circuitboard, wherein while the keycap is depressed to push the triggeringelement, the switch circuit board is triggered by the triggeringelement; and, wherein after the first-portion beam of the light beam istransmitted through the switch circuit board, the first-portion beam istransmitted through and diffused by the triggering element, so that thediffused first-portion beam is projected to the first region of the keystructure.
 2. The luminous keyboard according to claim 1, furthercomprising an illumination circuit board under the light guide plate,wherein the top-view light-emitting element is supported by theillumination circuit board, and the illumination circuit board iselectrically connected with the top-view light-emitting element.
 3. Theluminous keyboard according to claim 2, further comprising a reflectingelement between the light guide plate and the illumination circuitboard, wherein when the second-portion beam of the light beam is exitedfrom the light guide plate, the second-portion beam is reflected by thereflecting element, so that the second-portion beam is reflected backinto the light guide plate.
 4. The luminous keyboard according to claim1, wherein at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface of thetriggering element is a light diffusion surface.
 5. The luminouskeyboard according to claim 1, wherein the triggering element is made ofa light diffusion material.
 6. The luminous keyboard according to claim1, wherein the switch circuit board comprises: an upper wiring boardcontacted with the triggering element, wherein the upper wiring boardcomprises an upper conductive part; a lower wiring board located underthe upper wiring board, wherein the lower wiring board comprises a lowerconductive part; and a separation layer arranged between the upperwiring board and the lower wiring board, wherein the upper conductivepart and the lower conductive part are separated from each other by theseparation layer, and the separation layer comprises a separation layeropening, wherein when the upper wiring board is triggered by thetriggering element, the upper conductive part is penetrated through theseparation layer opening and contacted with the lower conductive part,so that the switch circuit board generates the key signal.
 7. Theluminous keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the upper conductivepart and the lower conductive part are conductive blocks.
 8. Theluminous keyboard according to claim 6, wherein the upper conductivepart is a first conductive strip, and the lower conductive part is asecond conductive strip, wherein the first conductive strip and thesecond conductive strip are perpendicular to each other.
 9. The luminouskeyboard according to claim 1, further comprising an additional lightguide plate within the supporting plate opening, wherein when the lightbeam is transmitted through the supporting plate opening and introducedinto the additional light guide plate, the light beam is divided intothe first-portion beam and the second-portion beam, wherein thefirst-portion beam is guided to the first region by the additional lightguide plate, wherein the second-portion beam is sequentially exited fromthe additional light guide plate, blocked by the switch circuit board,introduced into the additional light guide plate again, guided to thelight guide plate by the additional light guide plate and guided to thesecond region by the light guide plate.